DIY & Crafts

30 Neat DIY Fish Tank Stand Designs & An Easy-To-Follow DIY Tutorial

by craftmin | January 11, 2018

Whether you have an aquarium in your house or planning to aquire one, nothing is more important for enhancing the looks of your fish tank than an aquarium stand. Forget about buying one and get inspired to make one for yourself with these super cool DIY Fish Tank Stand ideas!

Simple DIY Fish Tank Stand Design by Shara

Before we dive into the DIY Fish Tank Stand plans, here are detailed instructions for building a beautiful aquarium cabinet stand made by Shara of Woodshop Diaries to give you an idea of what you’re about to get yourself in to. The best part is that this a woodworking project that will not take long to build! This DIY Fish Tank Stand plan is designed to be budget-friendly, reduce the amount of work, and handle the weight of the aquarium. Shara’s DIY cabinet can also work as a TV stand, console or just about anything.

So what materials do we need to build a DIY fish tank stand capable of handling an aquarium with 30 gallons of water and a few fish?

Materials

¼” plywood (1/4 sheet)

¾” plywood (1/2 sheet)

2x10x8

(2) 2x2x8

(3) 2x4x8

(2) 1x3x8

Crown molding

Cove molding

Base molding

2 knobs/pulls

2 sets hinges

1 ¼” pocket hole screws

2 ½” pocket hole screws

Brad nails

Wood putty

Wood Glue

Tools

Kreg Jig for pocket holes

Circular saw

Miter saw

Nail gun

Drill

Directions

If you have all the materials and the tools, let’s get down to business! Here are the steps you need to carry out to replicate Shara’s aquarium cabinet stand.

Step 1 – Construct Cabinet Sides

You need a sturdy cabinet, so 2x4s will be enough for the frame. The cabinet will have a height of 32 inches and a width of 16 ½ inches. You can always customize these dimensions, depending on how tall or deep you want it to be.

Cut pieces of 2x4s 7 inches long and four pieces at 30 ½ inches long. Use screws and pocket holes to assemble the two sides then attach the bottom 2×4 just an inch away from the bottom.

Fit a piece of ¾-inch plywood in the opening before you attach the other 2×4 to the frame. Measure and cut exactly so that everything fits, with a height of 22 ½ inches and a width of 7 inches. Use screws and pocket holes to secure.

Step 2 – Construct Middle Support

Construct another frame from 2x2s and use it to support the middle holding the weight. The “stretchers” and the two legs should have a length of 11 inches and 30 ½ inches respectively. Grab the 11 inches long bottom stretcher and attach it 2 ¼ inches from the bottom. Use screws and pocket holes to assemble.

Step 3 – Construct the Cabinet

After you’ve accomplished steps 1 and 2, join all three parts. Cut 4 pieces of 13 inches long 2x4s and 2x2s, and drill pocket holes in both ends. Use 2x4s in the front and 2x2s in the back and assemble as shown.

Attach one side panel to the middle support first before attaching it to the other side panel using pocket hole screws. Attach the bottom 2x2s to the back 3 inch from the bottom and the front bottom 2x4s 1 inch from the bottom. This is the back view.

Step 4 – Attach the Bottom

Cut a piece of ¾-inch plywood and fit it to the cabinet’s bottom. This should be 11 inches by 27 ½ inches. Drill pocket holes in both ends and screw it in place into the 2 side panels. The bottom part of the middle support should have it sitting in there.

After the top has been joined, use 2 ½ inches screw to secure it—making sure it is centered side to side—to the top supports of the back and the middle, and “toenailed” (drive the screws in obliquely) through the top of the front 2×4.

Well, that was just the beginning. In fact, there are tons of DIY fish tank stand plans that you might find are a better option for you. Check out the collection below for more aquarium stand designs and DIY tutorials.

3. Cool Fish Tank Stand Design with Secret Door for Sump

If you can’t find an aquarium stand with a space for the sump filtration system, why not just build one for yourself? This DIY fish tank stand design features a secret door to sneak the sump filtration system in. Follow the step-by-step instructions in this easy-to-follow tutorial to learn how to make this impressive aquarium stand.

4. 30-Gallon Aquarium Stand

This plywood- and lumber-made spiffy fish tank holder is very impressive. Its design allows it to support even 120-gallon fish tanks. You can also tweak the plans a bit so that this DIY fish tank stand can support 30-180 gallon tanks.

5. Raw Industrial Aquarium Stand

The use of galvanized framing connectors, glides and screws, and western red cedar wood for the frames gives this DIY fish tank design a “Raw Industrial” look. You’ll need to invest some time and effort to build this snazzy aquarium stand! Visit this forum for the full tutorial.

6. Clever Fish Tank Stand Designs

Raise your reefs, fishes and fries and kick it up a notch in both aesthetics and height with this DIY fish tank stand plan. It only takes three easy steps to build the stand with the instructions provided at wikiHow.

7. Simple & Chic Fish Tank Stand

If you fancy a DIY fish tank stand design with a modern look, here is a superior homemade model that is sure to amaze you! It will not only perfectly support a 40-gallon aquarium but will give your interior a modern touch as well. You have got to try building one, and here’s how.

8. Chic Aquarium Stand

Never mind buying a stand for your fish tank – just go for this cheap alternative! Seeing your lovable aquatic pets swimming in a DIY fish tank stand you made won’t fail to uplift you. Follow this simple guide for how to build this DIY Chic Aquarium Stand and give your interior decor a nice dimension.

9. Dimensional Aquarium Stand

10. Wooden 55-Gallon Aquarium Stand

This minimal DIY fish tank stand design doesn’t require you to be crafty when it comes to woodwork, just to host your aquatic pets. This build doesn’t waste scraps, so set them aside for later use as you go on with the plan. For the how-to, check it out here.

11. Breathtaking Contemporary Fish Tank Stand

Functionality and clean lines are key in this contemporary DIY fish tank stand design. You don’t have to loose the purse strings for this conversation piece. Take a look at this tutorial and try building one for your aquatic friends!

12. Fish Tank Stand Cabinet

It’s amazing how the basic frame of this spacious DIY fish tank stand design is made using oak plywood. It also comes with a movable wooden top so you can easily feed your finned pets and clean the aquarium. Check out the fab guide loaded with helpful tips at Angelfire.

13. 180-Gallon Wooden Fish Tank Stand

This DIY fish tank stand design uses 4x4s and 2x4s as frames in the corners. Instead of screws, the notched solid wood bears all weight. 1x4s are used for the trim and skin, and 1/2 inch plywood forwalls, the base and the top. You’ll need to have basic skills in carpentry to build this wonder in this tutorial.

16. Strong Aquarium Stand

Commercial fish tank stands sometimes fail to impress—their designs just do not suit your fancy or doesn’t support your aquarium well. Look no further because this simple DIY fish tank stand is customizable. Learn how to build this bad boy with this tutorial.

19. 500-Gallon Aquarium Stand Design

This 500-Gallon aquarium stand plan is just too massive to build. Luckily, Scott Morell has developed and shared his calculator to help you pull off this DIY fish tank stand project. The calculator also allows you to customize the aquarium stand that you’re going to build, so it’s not limited to helping you build a 500-gallon stand.

22. Bow Front Fish Tank Stand Design

Instead of the traditional rectangular design, add a bit more depth and “wow factor” by building a DIY fish tank stand to fit a fish tank that bows out in the middle, giving it an aesthetically pleasing smooth, curved look. Too difficult? Not really, just learn how it’s done with this very detailed tutorial.

24. Heavily Built Aquarium Stand

Showcase your fish tank with this burly DIY fish tank stand design which can perfectly support rectangular 75/90 gallon tanks. The contemporary design suit justs about any decor style in your home. Perhaps this video tutorial will help you build this pretty piece.

26. Homemade Fish Tank Stand

Make good use of your scrap wood by creating this amazing standfor your fish tank. Don’t you think your aquatic pet would find this DIY fish tank stand plan a fine accessory? This step-by-step tutorial will teach you how to build one!

28. Attractive Fish Tank Stand with Canopy

This DIY fish tank stand is a burly piece of woodwork capable of comfortably hosting a 120-gallon aquarium. It features an ingeniously lit canopy a lot of storage. Find out how this marvel is made at Aquaria Central.

30. Metal Fish Tank Stand

Massive aquariums need a lot of room underneath for filtration, so a DIY fish tank stand with welded steel frame would be your best choice. This means you don’t have to worry about the stand’s load-bearing capacity. This addresses the problem that wooden aquarium stands have when it comes to handling larger tanks—dividers (waste filtration space), bracing and supports. Check out how it’s done and start welding!

Video Tutorial – 55-Gallon Fish Tank Stand Design

Fish tank stands raise the beauty and height of your aquarium but you will probably find well-crafted aquarium stands sold in stores very expensive. Here’s a video tutorial that will teach you how to build an aquarium stand capable of supporting a 55-gallon fish tank.